Why do you write the genre that you write?
I like to read humorous mysteries, romantic comedies, and combinations of those two genres, particularly those set in the south. I figured if I write them, I won’t run out of books to read.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
In the Cherry Tucker series, her Grandpa Ed has a goat named Tater who likes to play chicken with her truck. I don’t know if that’s a quirk or just inherent with goats, though. Maizie Albright’s six-year-old sister likes to make traps. Sometimes for animals, sometimes for mythical creatures. Oftentimes, they work for people.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
It’s my maiden name, so I was born with it. I didn’t use my married name as to protect my children from embarrassment (I have found other ways to embarrass them, though).

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always been writing, starting with lists of words in pre-K. In first grade, I wrote and illustrated my first story. Then tried to sell it to my neighbor.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
At the moment, I work in a technical services department. The technical documents don’t always use periods at the end of a sentence which drives me crazy, but I work with a great group of people from all over the US. Twenty years ago, I was a high school history teacher. Sometimes my students wouldn’t put periods at the end of their sentences and that also drove me nuts. I also taught English in Japan at junior high schools, and those students were very good at punctuation.

Where do you write?
At my kitchen table mostly. I try to write in the car on the way to volleyball tournaments but I find that really difficult.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I’ve been trying to stick to popcorn because it “feels” healthier. I wouldn’t call it a favorite. I love trail mix which I thought was healthy, but I stand corrected because I’m now on a popcorn diet.

What is next for you?
I am writing Maizie Albright’s number eight, 19 Criminals (I took a break to write 20 Carats, number 9, which is out of order, but I’m giving it away as a free download, so hopefully all is forgiven). I am also writing two Cherry Tuckers because I had two story ideas at once. I am thinking of writing a small-town women’s fiction series because I’ve had that idea for a long time. I also have an unfinished Finley Goodhart to finish. Unfortunately, this time of life is not going to be the most prolific for me writing-wise, only idea-wise. But I am enjoying my daughters while I still have them (sort of) at home.

What are you reading now?
Peril at End House by Agatha Christie. I’ve been on a Christie kick this year, rereading a lot of books. They are very soothing for my soul. Very ASMR-y. Some people watch videos of cake decorating, others listen to the ocean. I like English murders.

Where can we find you?
In Peachtree City, Georgia, although I’m more often on a volleyball court than anywhere else these days. In the bleachers, not the actual court. Although sometimes running a scoreboard or working concessions. You can also locate me on my website LarissaReinhart.com and grab a free short story while you’re there.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Only dark chocolate. Otherwise vanilla.

Ice cream or cake
Cake (but that’s a sad cake without ice cream!)

Broccoli or squash
Squash (I’d rather have fried okra, though)

Pizza, burger, or pasta
Pizza or pasta – depends on the toppings/sauce

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Mountain or beach
Mountains, but I’m not opposed to the beach (Georgia has both!)

City or country
Country

Introvert or Extrovert
Major introvert

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A working helicopter full of gas.
A helicopter pilot.
A legal drug that will knock me out during the helicopter ride until we get safely back to a hotel room.

My bio:
A Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Larissa loves to tell funny stories about sassy Southern women looking for love (and sometimes dead bodies) in all the wrong places, like in her international award-winning Cherry Tucker Mystery, Maizie Albright Star Detective, and/or Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series. You might have seen Larissa and her family with their little dog, Biscuit, on HGTV’s House Hunters International “Living for the Weekend in Nagoya” episode. They’re back in Georgia where Biscuit has a bigger yard and now barks at deer instead of crows. Check out LarissaReinhart.com to learn more and get a free story while you’re visiting.